Misión Paraguay Asunción
Free resources about the Paraguay Asuncion Mission:
Aquí están algunos recursos gratuitos sobre la Misión Paraguay Asunción:
- Mission address and phone number
- Mission map
- Video interviews with returned missionaries
- Missionary blogs
- Facebook groups
- LDS Mission t-shirts and gifts
- List of past mission presidents
- Cultural articles written by returned missionaries
- Survey with RMs
*Other Mission Pages: Paraguay Asuncion North Mission.
Paraguay Asuncion Mission Address
Here’s a recent address for the Asuncion Mission. We try to keep this information up to date, but it’s a good idea to check the address with several sources, including your mission packet or the mission office.
Paraguay Asuncion Mission
Casilla de Correo 818
Asunción
Paraguay
Casilla de Correo 818
Asunción
Paraguay
Phone Number: 595-21-601-392
Mission President: President Sergio A. Wilson
Mission President: President Sergio A. Wilson
Paraguay Asuncion Mission Map
Here’s a link to the mission map for the Paraguay Asuncion Mission (LDS). To access the official, up-to-date LDS.org map for the Asuncion Mission:
Videos with Asuncion RMs
Here are in-depth YouTube video interviews with returned missionaries from the Asuncion Mission. We interview hundreds of returned missionaries each year, so check back regularly to see new RM interviews.
Videos about Paraguay
Here are LDS-friendly educational videos about Paraguay. We scoured YouTube to find the best quality videos about Paraguay, that are free from inappropriate music, immodesty and profanity.
Paraguay Asuncion Missionary Blogs
Here’s a list of LDS missionary blogs for the Paraguay Asuncion Mission. This list includes the missionary’s name, URL and when their blog was updated.
Paraguay Asuncion Mission Groups
Here are Paraguay Asuncion Mission Groups- for LDS missionary moms, returned missionaries, mission presidents and other alumni of the Asuncion Mission.
- Mision Paraguay Asuncion Facebook Group (5,096 members)
- Mision Asuncion Los Gavarret 2003-06 Group (260 members)
- Mision Asuncion: President Jeffry A. Allred Group (224 members)
- Mision Paraguay Asuncion Facebook Group (128 members)
- Mision Asuncion Misioneros Retornados! Group (81 members)
- Ex-Misioneros de la Gran Mision Asuncion Group (76 members)
- Ex Misioneros Mision Paraguay Asuncion Group (57 members)
Paraguay Asuncion Mission T-Shirts
Here are T-shirts for the Paraguay Asuncion Mission!
Shirt designs include Asuncion Mission logo/emblem shirts and Called to Serve shirts. The shirts make great gifts for pre-missionaries, returned missionaries and missionaries currently serving. LDS Mission shirts come in all sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, up to 4XL. The mission designs are printed on white shirts and are shipped to you.
*Simply click on a shirt design to view the details and submit an order. The designs on mission t-shirts may also be printed on other LDS mission gifts, including: Asuncion missionary aprons, Christmas stockings, ties, pillow cases, teddy bears and Christmas ornaments.
*Click here to browse Asuncion Mission gifts
Asuncion Mission Presidents
Here’s a list of current and past Mission Presidents of the Asuncion Mission.
- 2015-2018, Sergio A. Wilson
- 2012-2015, P. David Agazzani
- 2009-2012, Mark J. Callan
- 2006-2009, Mathew G. Bradley
- 2003-2006, Eduardo Gavarret
- 2001-2003, Thomas J. Summers
- 1998-2001, Craig Cheney
- 1996-1998, Robert Whetten
- 1992-1996, Jeffery Allred
- 1989-1992, Richard Rusell
- 1986-1989, John Whetten
- 1984-1986, Carleton Anderson
- 1981-1984, Luis A. Ramirez
- 1980-1981, Gerald Quinn
- 1977-1980, Mearl K. Bair
- 1976-1977, Gene R. Cook
- 1973-1976, Robert L. Marchant
- 1969-1973, Gardner H. Russell
- 1966-1969, William N. Jones
- 1963-1966, James Barton
- 1960-1963, Thomas J. Fryans
- 1957-1960, Arthur M. Jensen
- 1954-1957, Frank D. Parry
- 1951-1954, Lyman S. Shreeve
- 1949-1951, Frederick S. Williams
Paraguay LDS Statistics (2015)
- Church Membership: 88,755
- Missions: 2
- Temples: 1
- Congregations: 136
- Family History Centers: 18
Helpful Articles about Paraguay
Paraguay Asuncion Missionary Survey
Here are survey responses from Paraguay Asuncion RMs, to give you a snapshot into what it’s like to live in the mission.
When did you serve?
- 2014-2016 (Alyssa)
- 2013-2015 (Chase)
- May 2013 to May 2015 (Nathan)
- 2013-2015 (Justin)
- 2009-2011 (Wendy)
- 2007-2009 (David)
- 1981-1983 (Wade)
- 1994-1996 (Anonymous)
- 1993-1995 Harry)
- 1993-1994 (Angela)
- 1992-1994 (Kyle)
- 1992-1994 (Steven)
- 1981-1982 (Todd)
- 1980-1982 (Duane)
- 1979-1981 (Terry)
- 1979-1981 (Brenda)
- 1981-1982 (Miriam)
- 1975-1977 (Daniel)
Which areas did you serve in?
- Isla Bogado, Itaugua, Palma Loma, Yby Yau, Pedro Juan, San Jorge. (Alyssa)
- Tres bocas, Presidente Franco, Barcequillo, Ybate 1.2, Natalio 10, Fernando de la mora, and Ka’aguy Rory. (Chase)
- Lambarè, Leopardi, and ñemby. (Wendy)
- Benjamin Aceval. (Wade)
- Capiatá, Fernando de la Mora (Barrio 4), Cuidad del Este (Barrio Obrero), Ypacarí, Fernando Sur (La Floresta). Lambare. And some others I’m sure but I forget now. (Harry)
- San Lorenzo, Lambaré, Ca’acupe, Lucerito. (Angela)
- Encarnation, Posadas, Villetta, Ciudad Del Este, Caaguasu. (Kyle)
- Coronel Oviedo, Ayolas, Eusebio Ayala, Mariano Roque Alonso. (Steven)
- Fernando de la Mora, Fernando Sur, Limpio, Chaco (Mistolar). (Todd)
- Luque, Sajonia, Pedro Juan Caballero and Concepcion. (Duane)
- Mburucucja, Caacupe, Fernando de la Mora. (Terry)
- Luque, Asuncion. (Brenda)
- Asunción Paraquay, Uruguay. The mission was Paraquay/Uruguay back then. (Daniel)
What were some favorite foods?
- Beju and chipa. (Alyssa)
- Taijerine de pollo, Chipa, Guiso, and Empanadas. (Chase)
- Tallarín and noquis. (Nathan)
- Empanadas. (Justin)
- Mbeju, Carne asada, Milanesa, and Chipa. (Wendy)
- Mbeju, chipa so’o, marinera. (David)
- Chipa Bogado. Mango. Mirinda guarana. Empanadas. (Wade)
- All the fresh fruits and vegetables, except the mangos. Especially loved picking mandarinas fresh off the trees.(Anonymous)
- Milanesa (not with mondongo). Empenadas. Carne asada. Yougurt in sachet. Tereré. (Harry)
- Empanadas, milanesa, sandwich de milanesa, chipa caliente, borí borí, tallerine, hamburgesas, chorizo, sopa de fideo. (Angela)
- Asado, mandioca. (Kyle)
- Empanadas. (Steven)
- Chipa, Sopa Paraguaya, Empanadas, Milanesa, Dulce De Mani. (Todd)
- Todo. Pastas- noques. Asado. Milanesa. Mondingo bien. Hecho. Guisos. (Duane)
- Milanesa, Mondioca, Flan, Guanara. (Terry)
- Empanadas, so patient Paraguayan (cheesy cornbread,) Guarana soda pop, pineapple, mangos, mamon, avocados. (Brenda)
- Chip, empanada,cosido,mandioca frita. (Miriam)
What was a funny experience?
- I got chased by a cow once haha. And an ostrich. And a dog. Ya…(Alyssa)
- During my first baptism I slipped and went up to my next in the water. (Chase)
- Rainstorms and flooded streets. Hitchhiking to close cities. (Nathan)
- Walking in the streets in water up to my knees. (Justin)
- My first transfer there we had a man, who was outside cutting his bushes, ran up to us shouting “hermanas hermanas” handed a cutting of a rose and then run away from us so we couldn’t talk to him. (Wendy)
- One 2 year old kid hated my Peruvian companion so much that he was threatening to kill him. (David)
- We had three great big pomelo trees in our yard. Elder Covey and I used to throw pomelos at the cattle that congregated outside our house in Benjamin Aceval. Of course, it didn’t hurt the cows, they just ate them. One night a cow came close to the fence and we stuck a pomelo on each horn. The cow looked like an alien. Was very funny at the time. (Wade)
- Walking down the street I came across a guy with a crocodile skin hanging on his house. I haggled with him and left the proud owner of an untanned skin. It ended being too old to get tanned, so basically a waste of money. (Harry)
- Falling into an open sewer. Feeding the coatis at Iguazu Falls and having one climb up my body. Having to go to men’s barbershops for haircuts because I wore my hair short and the peluquerias did not have clippers. Water fights in the church with members and the Elders. Trying Tereré for the first time. While digging a pique out of a 2 year old’s foot, he was screaming and sweating as we held him down to help his mom. As I was quickly working, he became quiet very quickly. We looked up at him to discover a bird had flown over and pooped on his face! Poor baby! We laughed and laughed! One of my companions was bitten by someone’s pet monkey. That was not a fun phone call to make to Hermana Allred! But we laughed and laughed! During a discussion once, a little boy was staring at me in a way I had never before been stared at. All of a sudden, he poked me hard in the eye! I yelled in pain and looked and him and asked him “porque????!!” He looked in surprise at his mom and said “Mamá! Es real!” I said “Claro que es real! Es mi ojo!” He said “Yo creía que era de vidrio!” We laughed and laughed! He had never seen an eye that wasn’t brown. (Mine are green) (Angela)
- After baptizing an 80 grandmother, who had been terrified of getting in the water all the way (a common fear), she came out of the water like a rocket, did the Catholic cross motion, and started singing. I wore the same tie every day for the entire last year, and gave to my greenie, who gave to his junior companion, where it finally fell apart. (Steven)
- Onion and grape jelly sandwiches for Christmas dinner. (Todd)
- Too many . Riding in a bus like a can of sardines. (Duane)
- Guys would follow my blonde companion and I off the bus and around trying to talk to us. We would have to walk around the block a few times and not go home. (Brenda)
- I was the first convert in my family and they never sent me any letters and the Elders felt bad that they got their letters regularly except me, so they made a pretend letter just for me and when I was surprised but soon as I stated to read the envelope I noticed that was a pretend one so I started to laugh. (Miriam)
- Me acuerdo de una charla que teníamos en Asunción, que para llegar a la casa teníamos que atravesar un bosque y cruzar un arroyo por medio de un tronco. Llegábamos con las camisas un poco sucias. (Daniel)
What was a crazy/dangerous experience?
- Every day haha. Just be smart and you’ll be okay. (Alyssa)
- We were threatened by many drunks that they would kill us. We were robbed frequently. (Nathan)
- Was once punched and kicked by a mentally unstable guy in one of my last areas. I ran all the way to the police! (David)
- Getting a gun pointed at my head. (Justin)
- We had someone try to break into our home while we were sleeping in my last area. In my first area, we almost got hit by a car that was speeding away from the scene of a shooting. We had a guy try to follow us home, but was deterred when we found another women to talk to. (Wendy)
- I was working in Caacupe and we went to visit a family a few miles out of town. A borracho came at us with a machete from the house across the street. He came to about 15 feet from us but no closer. I was carrying my film projector for protection. Fortunately his wife came and grabbed him by the hair and dragged him inside. (Wade)
- We started getting stalked. Resolved relatively easily, and nothing awful happened. As a parent, though, I either wouldn’t want my child to go through that or wouldn’t want to know about it if they did. (Anonymous)
- By the end of my mission, I was pretty fearless. My companion and I were trying to catch a bus, but every bus going the way we needed was full. Finally a bus stopped and my companion climbed on by putting his foot on the gas cap and grabbing the roof rail while I hopped on the back with one foot in the door and one hand on the rail. We rode that way for miles at what seemed like 100 miles an hour! (Harry)
- Fell into an open sewer. I fell out of a speeding bus and almost died – but managed to catch the outside handle and pull myself back in. Killed the worlds most venemous spider in my house in Caácupe using aerosol hairspray and a lighter. Getting chased by a rabid dog and subsequently learning to use a sling shot to shoot dogs. (Angela)
- Got my pension burglarized in two areas. One just as we arrived back home. (Kyle)
- While going back to our apartment, Elder Planninz and I were being shot at by the drunks at the bar across the street. (Steven)
- 5 months in Mistolar. Loved every minute of it!! (Todd)
- Being at the mission office when there was an attempt on someone important. Someone help me, it’s been to long. Che tuya. (Duane)
- It was during the time when Somoza was assassinated. The military came by and searched everyone’s apartments. For some reason they didn’t search ours. (Brenda)
- When I was transferred and met the Elders, they shook my husband with a little frog in it and didn’t know what it was…scared me out my mind when I felt something moving in it and I yelled so hard! (Miriam)
- Hubo unas personas en auto que cuando nos veían de noche trataban de atropellarnos, nunca supimos porque. (Daniel)
What was a spiritual experience?
- Once we watched a church movie with an investigator of 5 months, and afterword the Spirit was really strong, and we were able to share our testimonies, and he decided to get baptized that day. (Alyssa)
- Everything is a spiritual experience! (Chase)
- Every baptism is amazing. (Nathan)
- We were teaching a lady who was doing everything we asked but did not want to set a baptismal date. We went not knowing what to teach, but we had something, when part way through I had a voice in my head say, “she is afraid of the water, share the story of Eddy Neilson. “Eddy Neilson had to go under 2x because he was afraid, but looked so happy after he forgot he had been afraid. (Wendy)
- Too many accounts of answered prayers and miracles. (David)
- Had many, but being led to a door in colonel Bogado that we had walked by a hundred times. We ended up baptizing Nestor Franco and he became the second member of our tiny branch. (Wade)
- Connecting with people, especially companions. (Anonymous)
- Every day was full of them. I distinctly remember an experience early in the mission. We were out of money, and food, and were pretty hungry. My trainer just stopped on a dark street and said “Let’s say a food prayer.” My faith was less than his at that time, and I thought he was nuts. In the prayer, he asked that the next house that let us in also have something to feed us. We walked to the end of the block, clapped a derelict looking house and the family welcomed us in warmly and fed us a great meal. We taught them the first discussion and ended up eating there weekly as we taught them. I remember the peace that came over me as I realized the Lord was aware of my circumstances, and my prayers would be answered, even in the moment I asked. (Harry)
- So many! Probably the most memorable being when my 2nd companion, who spoke no English, saw me pacing and crying that I was getting a Latina companion, (had only been on the mission for a month at that time), she came and took me by the hands, looked me in the eyes and said “No vamas a necesitar palabras para comunicanos. Todo estará bien!” I understood everything she said and we NEVER had a communication barrier. I understood her and she understood me. It was truly the gift of tongues. If someone spoke to me, I rarely understood them (in Spanish) but if she repeated what they said, I understood perfectly. It was such a blessing and a tender mercy. We were together for 2 months and she changed my life! (Hermana Sandra Belén). The next story is about the Gonzalez family. They were amazing. After teaching them the charlas, the day of their baptism, Hector (the dad) was baptized first, got out of the font, was confirmed and then immediately received the Aaronic priesthood, then he got back into the water and baptized his wife, Gabi. The Spirit was so strong! They were so happy! And I knew the gospel would be life changing for them! And it has been! Hector has since been a bishop, served in a stake presidency, and all 3 of their sons have served missions and married in the temple. I love that family!! (Angela)
- After a visit with a member family who had a visiting woman from Brazil, and having a very troubling discussion with her, in which she cursed at us and acted crazy, we were riding the bus back to the apartment. I heard clearly in my mind, as if someone were speaking in my ear “Go Back.” I turned to Cho Cho, my companion, and he and I at the same time said:”We have to go back!” He too, had felt the Spirit prompt. We got off the bus and took the next back to the home, where we found the visiting woman thrashing around and the sister in a panic, stating that she had prayed for us to return. We gave the woman a blessing and she calmed immediately. (Steven)
- Having an investigator totally change his attitude and decision regarding the gospel on the same day that his name was put in the temple by my parents. (Todd)
- See guiado por el espiritu. Being there for chaco baptisms. Was in two areas that had new chapel dedications. (Duane)
- We went by to teach an investigator and found that she was feeling sick so we called the elders to give her a blessing and while waiting, she asked us some questions. They were all answered from the scripture reading I had done that morning. (Brenda)
- So many!! (Miriam)
- Una una. Nos contó que antes de llegar a su casa, había soñado con nosotros, vio nuestras caras. Por supuesto luego se bautizó. (Daniel)
What are some interesting facts about the Asuncion Mission?
- They speak Guarani and Spanish. Although some people don’t speak Spanish at all. (Alyssa)
- It’s the best mission in the world. (Chase)
- High baptism rate. Two languages. Small geographically. (Nathan)
- Only country with two national languages. There are a few German colonies. (David)
- Paraguay is one of few countries that is truly bi-lingual. Everyone speaks Spanish and Guaraní, even if wealthy people pretend not to. (Harry)
- Hottest country south of the Equator. Drank a lot of unfiltered well water and was sick (with diarrhea) nearly my entire mission. People loved to talk about God so sharing the gospel was awesome! (Angela)
- Piranha like raw hamburger as bait. You can mumble just about anything as a greeting as you pass people in the street. Our favorite was “Uuuuva” (Steven)
- I got the privilege to serve in the Chaco, in Mistolar, before the community moved into the interior closer to Filadelfia and established La Abundancia. Such a great place and experience. (Todd)
- People are the best on earth. They will always invite you to a glass of water or terere and their last crumb of bread. (Duane)
- They have two official languages: Spanish and Guarani. They have a traditional dance with full skirts and balancing a bottle on their heads. (Brenda)
- The Church is true, but the members and missionaries aren’t perfect. (Miriam)
What was the weather like?
- HOT. Rainy. Humid. (Alyssa)
- Super humid. I am from Idaho where it gets really cold, but I was more cold in humid Paraguay then dry Idaho. Super hot and humid in summer. Sounds weird but you would sweat in the shower. You could never get dry. (Chase)
- Hot as can be. Really humid. 55 inches of rain per year. (Nathan)
- Hot. Humid. Hailed once. Floods when it would rain. (Wendy)
- Hot, hot, hot. (David)
- Hot and humid. Cold and humid. (Wade)
- Hot. And colder than I thought it would ever get in the rainy season. (No place to escape the cold). (Anonymous)
- Hot. And hotter. Oh, and really humid, too. The rain storms were amazing, and the lightning I watched from Cuidad del Este over Brazil was one of the most incredible sights I have ever seen. (Harry)
- It was super hot and humid and during the winter. It would be terribly cold because of the humidity. There was no escaping the weather! When it rained, it was hot rain so you couldn’t wear a rain coat or else you would sweat to death! Frequent flash floods. Super hot sunshine. (Angela)
- Weather was wonderful! Except the rain, humidity, and heat! Just kidding. At least, it didn’t snow. That was a great part! (Kyle)
- Seemed like it was either very very hot and humid, or very very cold and wet. (Steven)
- Quite subtropical, only remember frost once, but could be very cold when humid in the winter. Overall wonderful. (Todd)
- Hot, hot and more hot. Only a few winter day’s and they are bone chilling cold because of the humidity. (Duane)
- Sunny, hot and humid. (Brenda)
- Crazy and very hot. (Miriam)
What do you like about the place/people you served?
- I LOVE the people!!! They become your family 🙂 (Alyssa)
- Super humble. Down to earth and super easy to get along with. Just a joy to be with. (Chase)
- So pretty. Humble people. Very loving. Accepting. No one will ever die of hunger thanks to all the fruit. (Nathan)
- The place is so beautiful it almost doesn’t seem real. The people are just amazing, sweet people and they work their way in your heart very easily. (Wendy)
- So humble. You could get into just about any house. (David)
- People were so friendly. Loved serving there. (Wade)
- I’ll never forget getting the gift of some garlic from a woman who was so grateful for us. She sold it on buses and wanted us to have some. One of the most humble gifts I’ve ever received that I knew represented so much more of what she wished she could have imparted. (Anonymous)
- The people were open and sharing. They never hesitated to help, to feed us, to share whatever they had. And often what they had was very little. Paraguayos can be so loyal, fierce friends. The country is a place of tremendous natural beauty and history. Everything seems ageless. There were homes that had obviously been constructed hundreds of years ago but were still occupied, looking like they would stand forever. It is more green that I thought possible, so many shades! (Harry)
- Everything. The people were the most loving, humble, generous, content people I have ever known. I loved the country for the beautiful red dirt, the jungles, the coconut trees that grow coconuts like giant clusters of grapes. (Perfect ammo for my slingshot!) (Angela)
- Though the people were poor, they were wonderfully pleasant. (Kyle)
- Very kind, always worried about us. (Steven)
- So humble and dedicated to the gospel and to our Savior. (Todd)
- Totally humble and warm. (Duane)
- They are so loving they will give you the shirt off their backs. We were always welcome in their homes. (Brenda)
- I love the people…they were very loving, humble, and amazingly friendly. (Miriam)
- Volver a visitarlos. (Daniel)
Any packing/clothing advice?
- SHOES. Very very very good walking shoes. Bug spray. An umbrella. Rain jacket. And clothes for HOT HUMID weather. Winter doesn’t really exist…(Alyssa)
- Umbrella and good rain jacket. Multiple shoes. Good socks. Maybe a blanket. (Chase)
- Bring tons of socks and white shirts. Don’t open all shirts at the start. Buy Workspace shoes in Paraguay. (Nathan)
- Ecco shoes. No tights or knee highs. Cool outfits. Get a bag that goes around your waist with a shoulder strap. It is a little cooler then a backpack. (Wendy)
- You don’t need a whole lot of winter clothes. Buy an umbrella! (David)
- Leave the suit coat at home. (Wade)
- Follow the mission letter. Clothing requirements change from time to time, so my advice would be very dated. (Harry)
- Think of going on a 2 year camping trip. You are always dirty. Buy very sturdy/comfortable shoes, dresses that aren’t fitted (jumpers are perfect) don’t bother with a rain coat or boots — it’s too hot for either. Long underwear/layers for when it’s cold. (Angela)
- Be ready for lots of walking. Good shoes are essential. (Kyle)
- The lightest weight shirts and pants you can find. Baggy pants are cooler in the heat. (Steven)
- Too long ago to say. If you have larger feet, bring your own sandals. (Todd)
- Just take what they tell you to take. The best shoes you can buy that will last. I highly recommend two pair. (Duane)
- Sandals are a must. The sand gets into your shoes and totally rips up pantyhose so you have to go bare-legged with sandals. (Brenda)
- Bring very light clothing. It gets very hot and humid and it rains a lot. Better bring a good raincoat as well and the winter can be very cold except doesn’t snow. (Miriam)
What blessings did you receive from serving a mission?
- Stronger testimony, greater love for God and the gospel. (Alyssa)
- Knowing the Spanish language. Being able to talk to anyone. Better studying skills. Better disciplined. Strong testimony. Great friends for life. (Chase)
- Innumerable. (Nathan)
- Too many to count. One is the blessing of health. And the ability to speak Spanish. (Wendy)
- Too many to count. One of the greatest was the association with my wonderful Mission President. He inspired me to be so much better than I was. (David)
- I’m sure there are many blessings that I don’t even recognize. But I learned Spanish. How to communicate better. Speaking better in front of strangers. (Wade)
- Long-lasting friendships. (Anonymous)
- I learned to work daily with the Spirit and to trust the Lord. His hand was evident in everything we did and it taught me to rely on Him. The constant use of the Priesthood taught me more about blessings of health that I think I ever would have gained any other way. I learned the real power of prayer and that our prayers can be answered immediately if necessary, but often in the Lord’s time. (Harry)
- It changed my life. I was such a selfish person before my mission. I learned how to put others first and not worry about myself. I learned to hear and follow the promptings of the Spirit which has been an incredible gift as a mother. Friendships that I know will last eternally! The pure joy of watching someone hear, understand, and accept the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is one of the greatest things I have ever been blessed to witness. I am stronger than I ever imagined I could be – thanks to the struggles and trials of my mission! (Angela)
- I learned so much. I don’t think I will have a better testimony builder. (Kyle)
- Everything. I wouldn’t be in my career if not for serving, learning how to really work, learning to speak in public, how to guide people to better things. I run a 501c3 charity now, and it’s like my mission every single day. (Steven)
- Humility, additional perspective on the importance of the gospel and letting the Spirit guide you. (Todd)
- A testimony that I will never lose. (Duane)
- Both my husband and I served in the same Mission. We met at a party a couple of the sisters had at BYU. We have had many Paraguayan youth stay with us in our home while attending BYU or the local universities. White children grew up loving the people as much as we have. (Brenda)
- So many I can’t even name them one by one! (Miriam)
- Formar una flia. Eterna. (Daniel)
What are some skills you gained on your mission?
- Communication and planning. (Nathan)
- Spanish, public speaking, and teaching. (Wendy)
- Fluent in Spanish. I still use it every day as I pursue medical school. Definitely picked up some leadership skills. (David)
- Dodging mosquitoes. How to drink terere. Speaking. Leading. Impromptu talks. Cooking. (Wade)
- Spanish; how to get along with others. (Anonymous)
- Spanish! I have used it ever since. (Harry)
- Speaking Spanish. Teaching. Loving others for who they are. Washing clothes by hand. Being independent. (Angela)
- My Spanish has stayed with me. I use it at work every day. (Kyle)
- Spanish, speaking publicly, cooking, hitchhiking. (Steven)
- Improved cooking, the language, interpersonal communication. (Todd)
- Speaking in front of people. To love people. Spanish. (Duane)
- I have used the Spanish language throughout my life especially living here in Utah. I have talked on several bilingual scouting leadership courses. I love to strike up a conversation with people who I hear speaking Spanish to make them feel more comfortable being here. (Brenda)
- How to open a can of food with the knife. (Miriam)
What do you wish you knew/did at the beginning of your mission?
- To be able to let things go. And learn how to love every moment. (Alyssa)
- Obedience is key to success. It really is. Love the people and place more than anything. Really focus on studying for needs of investigators. (Chase)
- We need not fear. Just testify. (Nathan)
- In the beginning the days seem like weeks the weeks like months, but in the end the years seem like months and the months seem like merely days. Treasure your time. Laugh at your adversity sent to you. It is the devil showing how scared of you he really is. (Wendy)
- There is no Mexican food in South America. (David)
- When I left, it was with a conviction that I was needed–that my gifts and weaknesses made me who I was, and those things would be needed among those whom I served, for a whole host of reasons. (The idea that we are all one body of Christ–that we all work together, and each part is as important as all the others.) Somewhere along the way during the mission, though, I lost that touch with those strengths and faults, trying to be everything to everyone. It is truly one of the only things that hurts my heart when I reflect my mission. I wish I would have trusted myself throughout my whole time there to know that I didn’t have to be perfect to be a worthy servant. Anonymous)
- Spanish! (Harry)
- That I didn’t need to bring as many nice clothes as I did. That I would be able to purchase things throughout my mission that were better suited for the country than what I brought from the states. (Angela)
- I wasn’t quite ready for what I found as far as living quarters. It was quite a shock in my first area to find we were living in a shack. That was the hardest part for me. (Kyle)
- Don’t worry about which tie to bring or wear. (Steven)
- To get ahead of the game. Try speaking the language from day one. They are really good at listening and understanding. You will never speak correctly enough to wait and the only way to learn is from trying. (Duane)
- The greeting in Paraguay is “Adios.” It’s used much like Aloha is used in Hawaii. To say “hola” on the street is very forward and unacceptable. (Brenda)
- I wished spoke better Guarany. (Miriam)
Any advice/testimony for pre-missionaries going to Asuncion?
- I know this church is true. I thought I knew that before my mission, but I soon realized I knew very little. But I’ve seen the gospel change lives. And I have seen the hand of the Lord in my life. Especially in the hardest moments. I just didn’t realize it was Him helping me the whole way until a while after. (Alyssa)
- A testimony is very multi parted. You can’t just have a testimony on the church you have to have it in every part. Testimony on tithing, Joseph smith, BOM, etc. start building your testimony on these individual things now. (Chase)
- Go forth to serve. Give all your heart. Love the people. (Nathan)
- See above question. Also write in your journal every day and record everything. One day you’ll want to reread that. (Wendy)
- The people are wonderful and prepared to be taught. You will have a blast down there! (David)
- Enjoy it. Love it. (Wade)
- It will *not* be the best 18 months/2 years OF your life. It *may* be the best 18 months/2 years FOR your life. But even if you come home and things change and the ground underneath you shifts as it undoubtedly will due to the variable nature of the world and our lives in it, your mission will have long-lasting effects. It will always be part of who you are. Experience it in its fullness, all the ups and the downs, because eventually it will end. (Anonymous)
- Prepare to work harder than you ever have. Know that while it will be the best two years of your life, those two years will be full of trials and difficult moments. The MTC can be hard. The mission will be hard. Learning a language can be hard. Living in a culture very different from your own can be hard. Living with a companion 24/7 will be hard. But every moment is so worth it. It will a time of pure service, of joy so intense it will make you weep. You will meet those people you promised in the pre-mortal life to find, and you will teach the Lord’s elect the truth of the Restored Gospel. Your testimony will soar! (Harry)
- Be prepared to have your eyes opened to poverty unlike anything you could imagine, and people who have nothing but are still willing to give and help anyway they can. Read your Book of Mormon and prepared to share how and why it blesses your life. Prepare to gain a love for José Smith unlike anything you could imagine. And the personal relationship you will have with the Savior will be something that will blow you away!! I learned very quickly that the nicer I looked (my clothes) the more people were intimidated by me. They wouldn’t want their children to touch me or sit by me if they were dirty. It was hard! So I started looking for hand-me-downs, and I tried to look less “North American” by being as plain as possible. This may not be ideal in some places, but for the humble areas I served, it was exactly what I needed to do. I wish the church took into consideration the uniqueness of each individual mission — and created a list of things that would not be super perfect for the States or anywhere that is not 3rd world, but allow missionaries to look less intimidating by allowing t-shirts and simple skirts/jumpers, sandals (I wore Tevas and Birkenstocks because of the heat and the flash flood potential!) I have tried to explain this to sisters who get their mission call to Paraguay (or even Peru, Argentina, etc) but the list makes you feel like you are breaking a rule if you’re not dressed like a Utah Mormon at church on Sunday. That look did NOT work for me. A woman actually slapped her child during a discussion when that child touched my knee. The mom said “Don’t touch her clothes!” And that is where my mission changed. I never wanted that to happen again. (Angela)
- If you get up every day willing to serve, you’ll not only do fine, you’ll find a joy like nothing else. (Steven)
- Trust in the Lord, never do anything to prevent the Spirit from being able to be present since you never know when It’s presence will change someone’s life, but you cannot afford to not be worthy of it. (Todd)
- Testimony of the Book of Mormon. (Duane)
- Learn as much Guarani as you can. It’s not only impressive to the people but it is endearing and their language of the heart. (Brenda)
What was a funny language mistake?
- Anything wrong in Guarani could be a bad word.. Haha…(Alyssa)
- I asked a girl to go to bed, trying to invite her to church. (Nathan)
- Ñembo’i instead of ñembo’ei. One missionary asked in Guaraní, “who wants to get naked?” Instead of “who wants to give the prayer?” (David)
- I was walking with sister Gimenez and her teenage daughter. We were coming back from a Zone conference and I was hungry. I said in my best guarani ” ja ha ja haku ” when I should have said “ja ha ja Kari”. She said ” Elder! You can’t say that! I then realized I mixed up my words. Translated instead of lets eat, I said, let’s go make some heat! (Wade)
- Frequently missionaries would say “estoy embarasada!” I’m pregnant – instead of “tengo verguenza” – I’m embarrassed! The looks on people’s faces were priceless! Also, once I told someone “me gusta su pene” which means “I like your (a private part)”. What I meant to say was “me gusta su pelo” or, I like your hair. OHMYGOSH. That was reallllly embarrassing! (Angela)
- The difference between “Ordenar” and “Ordeñar” (“to Ordain” and “To milk”) …. The difference between “Desculpame” and “escupame” (“excuse me” and “spit on me”). (Todd)
- Embarrisada means pregnant, not embarrassed. Tender verguenza is embarrassed. (Brenda)